Category Archive: Discovering Dubuque

Around every corner of Hotel Julien Dubuque, you will find photographs, sketches, and mementos that tell the story of Dubuque’s rich history.

This bell, which now graces the porte-cochère outside of Caroline’s Restaurant, was once used to alert the people of Dubuque to the arrival of steamboats, warn of major fires, and bring attention to other significant events from the Firehouse at the corner of 4th and Locust. Women of Dubuque had expressed their dissatisfaction with the sound of the bell’s predecessor and asked the city to purchase a new bell to replace it. Their requests were denied; however, the women were determined to find a way to replace the bell. They continually hosted fundraising parties, dances, and raffles, eventually raising $800 to purchase a new bell.

The women’s success gave rise to the legend that any bride who rings the bell on her wedding day will never be in want.

In 1970, when the bell was rediscovered, the hotel’s restaurant was given the name “Alte Glocke”, German for “Old Bell”. Though much has changed in the restaurant since the 70s (including the restaurant’s name), the Bell still serves as a tribute to Dubuque’s history and its story is one that we hope will continue to live on for many years to come.

Throughout Hotel Julien Dubuque, you will find an eclectic mix of historic artifacts thanks to avid collector and grandfather of the hotel’s current owners, Louis H. Pfohl. According to his family, he collected what he liked and found ingenious ways to give new life to historic finds. We encourage you to explore the treasure trove of artifacts housed within Hotel Julien Dubuque and check back here to read about the hotel’s fascinating history on the corner of 2nd and Main.

These stunning stained glass windows can be found in Caroline’s Restaurant and were counted among Louis Pfohl’s most treasured finds. Originally hailing from a castle in the south of Germany, the windows depict Four Austrian Kings and have been attributed to the 16th Century.

Prior to Louis Pfohl’s acquisition, the windows overlooked a great stone Gothic staircase in the residence of Arthur Curtis James, located on the corner of 67th and Park Avenue in New York City. Mr. James, who accumulated a fortune of several hundred million in railroads and copper, is said to have acquired the windows around 1895. Louis Pfohl purchased them in the early 1960s when the James estate was torn down to make way for a skyscraper.